Jason Scotland's first Premier League goal for Wigan gave the relegation-haunted side a first-half lead against Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Scotland collected a knock down from Marcelo Moreno to drill a low shot into the corner of the net in the 34th minute.

Fulham's David Elm squandered numerous early chances but the home side's Brede Hangeland was also forced to clear a chip from Paul Scharner off the line.

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson, criticised for resting players against Hull last weekend, kept faith with the majority of the side which beat Wolfsburg in the Europa League in midweek.

Hodgson made just one change for the visit of Wigan with in-form striker Bobby Zamora, one of six players rested against Hull, left out once more. He was replaced by David Elm.

Wigan goalkeeper Chris Kirkland returned to the starting XI at Craven Cottage, while striker Jason Scotland replaced the suspended Gary Caldwell and was handed a role playing behind lone striker Marcelo Moreno.

Fulham should have opened their account in the fifth minute when Damien Duff's inswinging cross was met by the head of centre-forward David Elm.

But the striker could not find the power or the deftness to place his header beyond Chris Kirkland.

Wigan responded with some good work by Hugo Rodallega but the striker's cross from the left flank was plucked out of the air by Mark Schwarzer.

Wigan defender Paul Scharner was booked for a foul on Elm in the 13th minute but Fulham failed to take advantage of the resultant free-kick.

Two minutes later Kirkland produced another fine save to deny Elm after Zoltan Gera had put the Fulham striker in the clear.

Fulham felt they should have had a penalty in the 18th minute when Gera appeared to be upended in the area by Mohamed Diame. Referee Mark Clattenburg was unmoved, much to the fury of the home fans.

Wigan went close in the 28th minute when Scharner headed a corner by James McCarthy just wide of the target.

Fulham had Brede Hangeland to thank moments later when Schwarzer spilled the ball to Scharner on the edge of the penalty area but the Wigan defender's chip was cleared off the line by the tall defender.

Schwarzer redeemed himself in the 31st minute when he tipped a long-range effort from Maynor Figueroa over the crossbar.

But the goal Wigan had threatened finally arrived in the 34th minute.

A deep cross from Mario Melchiot was knocked down by Marcelo Moreno for Scotland to send a low drive into the corner of the net for his first Premier League goal for the club.

Fulham almost got a surprise leveller five minutes before the break when a cross from Duff nearly deceived Kirkland, but he managed to tip the ball to safety from underneath the bar.